Rights Must Be Discussed Alongside Duties: Governor Tandon

Bhopal. Speaking at a programme held at Raj Bhavan on Constitution Day, Governor Shri Lalji Tandon said the Constitution is everyone's guardian, and so rights should be discussed together with duties. Chief Minister Shri Kamal Nath said on the occasion that the judiciary bears a more important responsibility than the legislature and the executive in upholding the dignity of democracy. Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Justice Shri Ajay Kumar Mittal, called on citizens to take the initiative for social and intellectual change for nation-building by faithfully upholding fundamental rights.

Governor Tandon said the Constitution gives priority to the weakest person in society. Greater sensitivity is needed to ensure that the weak get speedy justice. He said that along with constitutional rights, duties must also be considered. Language, he said, holds a prominent place among the symbols of national self-respect, and making copies of court judgments available in Hindi should also be considered. He called for informal programmes that promote harmony and coordination among the various services, saying this would pave the way to solving contemporary social problems.

Praising the role of the judiciary, the Governor said the verdict it delivered in the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute has brought out the respected character of Indian culture. He said public awareness about a close study of the Constitution needs to be spread. Today's India, he said, is the result of the sacrifice of our freedom fighters. That the country has one identity despite many differences in language, ways of living and dress is the gift of our great leaders, and Constitution Day is an occasion to remember them.

Chief Minister Shri Kamal Nath said the judiciary is the guardian of the Constitution and that the foundation of democracy rests on justice. Freedom and equality have limits, but justice is limitless. He said people's thinking is changing in the present age and there have been new changes in technology. The issues now reaching the courts did not come up before, and these changes should be integrated with the justice system.

He said that 72 years ago we won freedom after a great struggle. Bringing everyone together under one flag amid religious, social and cultural diversity was a great challenge for the makers of the Constitution. It is a matter of pride that they built one nation out of so many differences; there is no such example anywhere else in the world. We should be proud of our Constitution, he said, because the country's honour comes from it. On Constitution Day we should resolve what kind of country we want to give to future generations, and show not only pride in the Constitution but also faith in it.

Chief Justice Shri A.K. Mittal said that however well a constitution is drafted, it cannot fulfil its objectives by itself; citizens' way of life and sentiments must be in keeping with its aims. Constitution Day helps increase the knowledge of our future generations so that they understand the importance of the Constitution, respect it and follow it properly. It reaffirms the importance of keeping the democratic system bound to the Constitution. Young people should be told about the hard struggle and labour of the Constitution's framers in building a free, democratic and self-reliant nation. The day should not be seen as a mere festival observed by the government and political parties, but celebrated with enthusiasm to express gratitude to those who contributed to nation-building. He explained the Preamble, the Fundamental Rights and the Fundamental Duties in detail.

The Governor presented mementos and copies of the Constitution to Chief Minister Shri Kamal Nath and Chief Justice Shri A.K. Mittal. Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Shri P.C. Sharma and Chief Secretary Shri S.R. Mohanty were also present.